Once it's trending, I'm no longer interested. When it comes to food, I need to lead, not follow.

So when I spot something new on the market shelves, I'm delighted. And, I admit it, I feel the teeniest bit smug when guests rave, "Oh, I've never had this before, it's delicious, what is it?"

You can enjoy that same smugness — just pick one or two of the items below for your holiday entertaining.

BisCotTea Savoury Shortbread, Rosemary and Red Chili flavor, 3.8 oz. box, $3.99 at World Market. Imported from Scotland, where they know how to make shortbread. At first bite, rich and buttery with pleasant graininess. But then there's the unexpected earthiness of rosemary and a fiery finish.

Outrageous price for 12 cookies, but if you want to wow your guests with something different, these are the ticket.

Calamari salad from deli at Fishers Foods. $6.99 per half-pound. I might be biased on this one. The flavors and vegetables in this salad are very Korean, which brings back fond memories of my eight-month stay there a few years ago. The calamari is tender, the vegetables crisp. It's wildly expensive, so consider doling it out in individual servings, perhaps on an endive leaf.

Oikos Greek Yogurt Dip, 12 oz. tub, $2 at Acme Fresh Market. I tried the French onion flavor and the roasted red pepper flavor. Both were delicious and holiday-worthy. Best of all, the yogurt dips had just 13 calories per tablespoon, compared to sour cream based dips at 30 to 35 calories per tablespoon.

Sahale Snacks Nut Blends. 4 to 5 oz. bags, $3.99 to $4.99 at World Market. These attention grabbers are perfect for a cocktail party nibble. I liked the Pomegranate Pistachio blend with dried cherries and almonds. The hint of sweetness from pomegranate juice is tempered by a light dusting of black pepper. For cashew lovers, there is the Sing Buri blend with cashews, dried pineapple, peanuts, lemongrass and a hint of chili.

John Wm. Macy's Cheese Sticks. Aged cheese and sourdough twists. 4 oz. box. $3.19, found at Fishers Foods and World Market. The tang of tart Asiago adds depth to the cheddar flavor, but the best part of this attractive snack is the texture. Flaky, crispy and slightly gritty. Perfect pairing for wine or apples. Worth a holiday splurge.

Angie's Holidrizzle Dark Chocolatier Sea Salt Kettle Corn. 4.5 oz. bag $3.69, Acme Fresh Mart and Fishers Foods. What's better than crisp, sweet and salty kettle corn? Crisp, sweet and salty kettle corn with dark chocolate. Pretty too, with its zigzag drizzles. Pricey but if you need a bowl of something in a hurry, this is a good one to have on hand.

The Wisconsin Cheeseman Incredible Spreadables, the Sweet Hot Peppers flavor. 7 oz. $4.99 at Fishers Foods. The name — Sweet Hot Peppers — says it all. An initial sweetness is chased by fiery, peppery heat. I especially appreciated the light, whipped texture, even straight out of the fridge, making it easy to spread on even the most delicate crackers.